Cultural construction of promoting resilience and positive school climate during economic crisis in Greek schools

Abstract

In this study, an evidence-based program aiming to promote psychological well-being and resilience within the context of Greek schools is presented. It is based upon a multidimensional model that synthesizes different theoretical domains, placing emphasis on different goals depending on the needs of the school community during unsettling times. Culture-specific characteristics of the economic recession are addressed, using a multilevel mixed-model participatory design, including needs assessment, pre-assessment and post-assessment. Overall assessment supported the program's effectiveness on teachers' resilience, students' goal setting, and the promotion of a positive school climate.

Keywords::

• economic crisis
• culture-specific characteristics
• resilience
• school climate
• psychological well-being
• evidence-based intervention program

Notes

^1.Eνδιαφϵρόμαστϵ (Care) - Moιραζόμαστϵ (Share) - Eνθαρρύνoυμϵ (Encourage) – Iσχυρoπoιoύμαστϵ (Empower) – Συμμϵτέχoυμϵ (Participate).

^2. See www.connecting4caring.gr.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chryse Hatzichristou

Chryse Hatzichristou is professor of school psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University, Athens, Greece. She is also director of the graduate program in school psychology and the Center for Research and Practice in School Psychology at the Department of Psychology. Her primary research interests include resilience promotion in school communities, psychosocial adjustment of at-risk groups, crisis intervention, school-based consultation, evidence-based interventions in schools, and cross-cultural and transnational issues in school psychology training and practice. She has served as secretary of the executive committee of ISPA, member and co-chair of the Committee of International Relations in Psychology of APA, and chair of the Globalization WG of School Psychology Division of APA.

Panayiotis Lianos

Panayiotis Lianos, PhD, is a school psychologist working in an evaluation center of the Ministry of Education. He is also teaching in the Graduate Program of School Psychology in the Department of Psychology, University of Athens, Greece. He has been collaborating for many years with the Center for Research and Practice of School Psychology in the design, implementation and evaluation of evidence-based interventions in schools. His research interests and work experience span from psychosocial adjustment in the school setting, parent-children relations, counseling/consultation and family-school-community partnership to mental health promotion, prevention/intervention programs and crisis intervention.

Aikaterini Lampropoulou

Aikaterini Lampropoulou is a school psychologist working in a clinical setting. She obtained her MA in school psychology at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and she is a member of the scientific team of the Center for Research and Practice in School Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Athens, Greece. In addition, she has been teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in school psychology. Her research interests and work experience include mental health promotion, intervention programs, counseling/consultation, and family–school partnership. Dr. Lampropoulou has many research publications and presentations and has conducted many workshops.